AI (artificial intelligence) is part of nearly everything our kids do online — from search and social media to video games, homework tools and smart speakers. AI can spark curiosity and support learning. It can also create new challenges that families need to understand.
“The internet kids navigate today is far different from what they encountered even just a few years ago,” says Melissa Wagner, child safety and advocacy director at Geisinger. “AI is now built into websites, apps and devices through chatbots, homework helpers and creative tools. It has changed what online threats look like, how quickly they spread and how convincingly they can disguise themselves.”
Parental controls, privacy settings and regular check-ins can help protect kids online. Just as important: teaching them to recognize risks, question what they see and make smart choices as AI evolves.
AI dangers vs. benefits
With guidance, AI can be a helpful learning tool. Kids can get homework hints, practice reading or math with adaptive feedback and use creative tools to explore new ideas. Teens might use AI to research colleges, create study plans or draft a résumé.
But AI has risks, too. Many online dangers aren’t new, but AI can make them faster, look more realistic and become harder to spot.
Potential AI risks include:
Deepfakes and impersonation: AI can create realistic images, videos and voices that make scams, cyberbullying and impersonation more convincing.
Misinformation: AI tools can give inaccurate, misleading or biased answers in a confident, trustworthy way.
Privacy concerns: Apps, games, AI tools and smart devices may collect information about a child’s behavior, interests, location or contacts.
Targeted content: Algorithms can use a child’s interests and behavior to recommend content or advertising designed to keep them watching, clicking or spending.
Age-inappropriate content: Kids may encounter sexual, violent or otherwise inappropriate material through searches, social media, chatbots and other tools.
Misuse of AI: Kids may use AI to cheat on schoolwork, impersonate someone or create harmful or misleading content.
“Children and teens are still building impulse control and critical-thinking skills,” says Ms. Wagner. “AI can influence what they learn, believe and share, while also creating risks to their privacy, security and emotional well-being.”
Setting clear boundaries and family expectations helps protect kids from these risks and prepares them to make better choices.
6 tips for AI and internet safety for kids
The basics of internet safety for kids haven’t changed. But families should now include AI literacy, or the ability to use, question and evaluate AI tools responsibly.
Ms. Wagner offers 6 tips for internet safety in the age of AI:
Set clear household rules
Create a family technology plan that explains when, where and how devices can be used. Set reasonable screen-time limits and consider device-free times, such as during meals and for at least an hour before bedtime. Keep devices out of bedrooms and off the dinner table — these should be phone-free zones. Research consensus by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Sleep Foundation shows bedroom screen use is most likely to displace or delay sleep, and late night is when kids are most likely to encounter risky content with less supervision, so have devices charge in a common area overnight.For younger children, keep internet and AI use in shared spaces where you can supervise. “If possible, sit with your young child while they explore a new app or AI tool,” says Ms. Wagner. “It gives you the opportunity to teach digital literacy and model good decisions.”
Require app approvals
Require your approval before your child downloads new apps, games or AI tools. Review age ratings and privacy policies together. Pay attention to where AI appears, too. It may be built into games, social media, search engines and homework apps, even when your child isn’t intentionally using an “AI app.”
Use parental controls, content filters and monitoring tools. Tell your child what you’re monitoring — such as browsing activity and chat logs — and why. The goal isn’t to watch their every move. It’s to gradually help them learn to make safe choices on their own.
Protect your child’s privacy
Teach kids to keep accounts private, turn off geotagging and connect only with people they know. They shouldn’t share personal details, such as their full name, home address, school, phone number or location with strangers — or enter sensitive information into an AI tool.
“Remind kids that what they say or type into an AI tool may not stay private,” says Ms. Wagner. “Prompts may be stored or reviewed by companies.”
If you have smart toys or home assistants, keep them in common areas and review data-retention settings to reduce privacy risks from always-on microphones or cameras.
Teach kids to develop AI literacy
One of the most important lessons kids can learn about AI is simple: Just because something looks or sounds real doesn’t mean that it is.
Encourage your child to check information against reliable sources instead of automatically trusting an AI-generated answer. Explain that photos, videos and even voices can be changed or created with AI.
Teach them to pause before sharing or responding, especially if a message creates urgency or tries to pressure them. If your kid isn’t sure whether something is real, or if they encounter suspicious messages or uncomfortable content, encourage them to come to you before acting.
And don’t forget to keep up your own learning about AI.
“Research apps and technology you don’t understand, or talk with other parents,” says Ms. Wagner. “The Family Online Safety Institute is a great resource for staying up to date on emerging online safety issues.”
Keep communication open and ongoing
Kids are using smart devices at a younger age, so start the conversation early and keep it going.
Don’t wait for something to go wrong to talk about internet safety. Ask regularly about the games, apps, social platforms and AI tools your child uses — and what they like or dislike about them.
Talk honestly about online risks, including scams, cyberbullying, inappropriate content and contact from strangers. Listen without judgment. When kids know you’re there to help, they may be more likely to come to you if something online makes them uncomfortable.
Watch for changes in your child’s behavior
Kids may not tell you right away when something is wrong. Changes in their behavior can be a sign that they’re having trouble online.
Watch for patterns such as:
Becoming unusually secretive about online activity
Spending excessive time online, particularly when it replaces real-world relationships or activities
Anxiety, irritability or mood changes
Withdrawal from family or friends or a loss of interest in favorite activities
Changes in sleep or eating habits
Declining grades
If you’re concerned, start with open-ended questions and listen to what your child has to say. For more support, contact your child’s pediatrician or school counselor.
If online exploitation or threats are involved, contact local law enforcement and report the incident to the platform.
When is your child ready for the internet and AI?
There’s no single age when every child is ready to use the internet or AI. Age limits on apps and platforms can help guide you, but age alone doesn’t determine readiness.
Consider your child’s maturity, impulse control and ability to follow rules, along with how closely you’re able to supervise their use. “A gradual approach is best,” says Ms. Wagner. “Start with strong privacy settings, clear expectations and close supervision, then adjust as your child matures and demonstrates responsibility and digital literacy.”
Helping kids navigate an AI-powered world
You can’t keep kids away from the internet or AI forever. The goal is to help them use technology safely and responsibly. With guidance, your child can use AI to support learning and creativity while they build the skills to navigate an increasingly digital world.
“Internet safety for kids in the age of AI means balancing opportunity with awareness,” says Ms. Wagner. “Set clear expectations, teach kids digital literacy and keep communication open. Small course corrections today can make a big difference tomorrow.”
Next steps:
Learn about child safety and advocacy at GeisingerFind out what parents should know about the measles outbreaksHow much screen time is too much?
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